Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
84817147
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A Method of Livestock Rearing and a Livestock Shed
The invention relates to a method of livestock rearing and to a shed for
livestock.
It is known to provide a chicken shed which has a floor area over which
chickens can move
freely. The shed is provided with a plurality of lights which are arranged to
illuminate
respective different regions of the floor area. Collectively, the lights are
able to illuminate
substantially all of the floor area.
According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of
livestock
rearing, comprising: providing a livestock shed having a floor area over which
livestock can
move freely; providing a plurality of lights arranged to illuminate respective
different regions
of the floor area so that, collectively, the lights are able to illuminate
substantially all of the
floor area; providing a plurality of cameras arranged to view respective
different regions of
the floor area so that, collectively, the cameras are able to view
substantially all of the floor
area; providing livestock in the livestock shed on the floor area; providing a
controller
operatively connected to the lights and to the cameras; receiving and
analysing signals
from the cameras with the controller; and controlling, with the controller, at
least one of the
lights to adjust illumination provided to the floor area by said at least one
of the lights in a
manner dependent on the signals from the cameras, wherein said adjustment of
the
illumination comprises adjusting a wavelength spectrum of the light, wherein
the controller
is capable of controlling each one of the lights separately from the other
lights, wherein the
method further includes a response of the livestock of a predetermined desired
nature, said
response being caused by said adjustment of the illumination provided to the
floor area by
said at least one of the lights, wherein said analysis of the signals
indicates an undesirable
circumstance and the response of the livestock at least partially remedies or
circumvents
the undesirable circumstance, wherein the undesirable circumstance is an
undesirable
characteristic or behaviour of the livestock and wherein said predetermined
desired
response eliminates or reduces the undesirable characteristic or behaviour,
wherein the
undesirable characteristic or behaviour is: movement of the livestock at a non-
optimal
speed and the response is a change in speed of the livestock so that the speed
of the
livestock approaches the optimal speed; or congregation of the livestock and
the response
is dispersal of the congregation.
According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a
method of livestock
rearing, comprising: providing a livestock shed having a floor area over which
livestock can
move freely; providing a plurality of lights arranged to illuminate respective
different regions
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of the floor area so that, collectively, the lights are able to illuminate
substantially all of the
floor area; providing a plurality of cameras arranged to view respective
different regions of
the floor area so that, collectively, the cameras are able to view
substantially all of the floor
area; providing livestock in the livestock shed on the floor area; providing a
controller
operatively connected to the lights and to the cameras; receiving and
analysing signals
from the cameras with the controller; and controlling, with the controller, at
least one of the
lights to adjust illumination provided to the floor area by said at least one
of the lights in a
manner dependent on the signals from the cameras, wherein said adjustment of
the
illumination comprises adjusting a wavelength spectrum of the light, wherein
the controller
analyses the signals from the cameras to determine the lighting intensity in a
plurality of
different regions of the floor area and wherein the controller controls the
lights to maintain
the lighting intensity within a predetermined range of intensities for all of
said different
regions, wherein said signals comprise images and the controller analyses the
images,
wherein the analysis of the images identifies individual ones of the
livestock, wherein the
controller estimates the average size and/or weight of individual ones of the
livestock based
on an estimate of the area of the floor area covered by the livestock and a
number of
individual livestock in the floor area, wherein the controller analyses a
plurality of images
taken at different times, identifies the same individual one of the livestock
in each of the
images and estimates a velocity for said same individual based on the
different positions
of the same individual in the images and the times of the images.
According to another aspect, there is provided a method of livestock rearing,
comprising;
providing a livestock shed having a floor area over which livestock can move
freely;
providing a plurality of lights arranged to illuminate respective different
regions of the floor
area so that, collectively, the lights are able to illuminate substantially
all of the floor area;
providing a plurality of cameras arranged to view respective different regions
of the floor
area so that, collectively, the cameras are able to view substantially all of
the floor area;
providing livestock in the livestock shed on the floor area; providing a
controller operatively
connected to the lights and to the cameras; the controller receiving and
analysing signals
from the cameras; the controller controlling at least one of the lights to
adjust illumination
provided to the floor area by said at least one of the lights in a manner
dependent on the
signals from the cameras.
According to another aspect, there is provided a livestock shed comprising: a
floor area
over which livestock can move freely; a plurality of lights arranged to
illuminate respective
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different regions of the floor area so that, collectively, the lights are able
to illuminate
substantially all of the floor area; a plurality of cameras arranged to view
respective different
regions of the floor area so that, collectively, the cameras are able to view
substantially all
of the floor area; and a controller operatively connected to the lights and to
the cameras;
the controller being programmed to receive and analyse signals from the
cameras and
being programmed to control the lights to adjust illumination provided to the
floor area by
the lights in a manner dependent on the signals from the cameras.
In aspects of the invention, the lighting, the lighting control performed by
the controller may
improve the efficiency of livestock rearing. For example, the lighting control
may help to
improve the conversion rate of feed to livestock weight. Alternatively, or in
addition, the
lighting control may help to improve animal welfare and/or reduce the
environmental impact
of the livestock rearing.
The following is a more detailed description, by way of example, of
embodiments of the
invention, reference being made to the appended schematic drawings in which:
Figure 1 is a perspective view of a chicken shed;
Figure 2 is a representation of an integrated light and camera unit used in
the chicken shed
of Figure 1;
Figure 3 is a representation of a controller used in the chicken shed of
Figure 1; and
Figure 4 is a representation of a stage in an image analysis procedure
performed by the
controller of Figure 3.
Referring to Figure 1, a chicken shed 10 provides a floor area 12 over which
chickens can
roam freely. The chicken shed 10 has a ceiling 14 on which are mounted a
plurality of light
and camera integrated units 16.
Referring to Figure 2, each integrated unit 16 comprises both a light unit 18
and also a
camera unit 20 integrated in a common housing. In this embodiment, the light
unit 18 is in
the form of a 30W Broiler Lamp.
Each light unit 18 is able to illuminate a respective region of the floor area
12 of the chicken
shed 10. The regions may overlap. Collectively, the light units 18 are
positioned so as to
be able to illuminate substantially all of the floor area 12.
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Each light unit 18 can be dimmed, and preferably can be dimmed continuously in
a range
from full intensity to zero illumination. Additionally, each light unit 18 can
be operated to
vary the wavelength spectrum of the radiation emitted by the light unit 18.
For example,
each light unit 18 may be able to emit a first standard wavelength spectrum
(generally
perceived as white light), a second spectrum with an increased component of
red and/or
infra-red light, and a third spectrum with an increased component of blue
and/or ultra-violet
light. A preferred light unit 18 uses LEDs to provide the illumination. In
this case, dimming
may be achieved, for example, by pulse width modulation. Varying the
wavelength
spectrum could, for example, be achieved by providing each light unit 18 with
a plurality of
LEDs which emit different coloured light and by selectively turning on or off
different ones
of the LEDs to vary the overall spectrum of emitted light.
Each camera unit 20 is capable of capturing digital white light images of a
respective region
of the floor area 12 of the chicken shed 10. The regions may overlap.
Collectively, the
camera units 20 are positioned so as to be able to image substantially all of
the floor area
12. In addition, each camera unit 20 is preferably able to detect the
temperature of the
region of floor area 12 viewed by the camera unit 20. Preferably each camera
unit 20 is
able to detect respective temperatures in different areas of the viewed
region. For example,
each camera unit 20 may be able to capture an infra-red image of the region of
the floor
area 12 viewed by the camera unit 20. Each camera unit 20 may comprise a
single camera.
Alternatively, each camera unit 20 may comprise multiple cameras - such as a
white light
camera and an infra-red camera.
In the current example, each one of the light units 18 is provided together
with an
accompanying one of the camera units 20 in an integrated unit 16. While such
integrated
units 16 are preferred because, inter alia, it facilitates mounting, this is
not essential and
separate light units and camera units could be used. Where integrated units 16
are
provided, it is preferred that the field of illumination of the light unit 18
of the integrated unit
16 corresponds generally to the field of view of the accompanying camera unit
20. This
simplifies image analysis.
Figure 3 shows a controller 22. The controller 22 comprises a micro-processor
(not shown)
and a memory (not shown). In addition the controller 22 may comprise various
components,
such as analogue-to-digital converters, electronic filters, amplifiers, etc.,
(all not shown)
allowing the controller 22 to communicate with the camera units 20 and with
the light units
18.
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The controller 22 receives input signals from each of the camera units 20.
Specifically the
controller 22 may, for example, receive white light images, infra-red images
and/or
temperature signals from the camera units 20.
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The controller 22 provides control signals to each of the light units 18. The
control signals control the
light units 18 to dim and brighten the light units 18 and also to adjust the
wavelength spectrum of
the light emitted by the light units 18. The controller 22 is capable of
controlling each light unit 18
separately from the other light units 18.
The controller 22 identifies each light unit 18 and each camera unit 20 by a
respective identification
code. Additionally, the controller is programmed with the position of each
light unit 18 and the
position of each camera unit 20.
As seen in Figure 3, the controller 22 may be provided with a number of
inputs, in addition to the
input signals from the camera units 20. For example, the controller 22 may be
connected to
thermometers for detecting temperatures in different regions of the chicken
shed 10, in particular
the temperatures of different regions of the floor area 12. The controller may
be connected to one
or more sensors able to detect one or more of the following variables:
humidity of the chicken shed
10; pressure in the chicken shed 10; rate of water consumption; rate of feed
consumption; weight of
chickens (sensed by weight sensitive pads on the floor area 12); and CO2
concentration.
As shown in Figure 3, the controller 22 is connected to a user interface
device 24 though which other
data may be input to the controller 22 if desired.
Critically, the controller 22 is programmed to analyse signals received from
the camera units 20 and,
on the basis of the analysis, to control the operation of the light units 18.
The analysis will generally
include analysis of images, such as white light and/or infra-red images,
received from the camera
units 20.
For example, the controller 22 may be programmed to recognise and distinguish
a plurality of
undesirable circumstances on the basis of the analysis of the signals from the
camera units 20. For
each undesirable circumstance, the controller 22 controls at least one of the
light units 18 to adjust
illumination provided to the floor area by the or each light unit 18 that is
controlled. The control of
the light units 18 is designed to remedy or circumvent, at least partially,
the recognized undesirable
circumstance. In some cases, the control of the light units 18 is designed to
remedy or circumvent
the undesirable circumstance by affecting the behaviour of the chickens.
Various examples of undesirable circumstances, and the corresponding remedial
strategies for
control of the light units 18 are given in Table 1. These examples are
discussed in more detail below.
As will be seen, in some of the cases, the control of the light units 18 is
determined not only by the
nature of the undesirable circumstance but also by the location of the
undesirable circumstance.
Table 1
Example Undesirable Circumstance Remedy Effect of Remedy
1 Chickens walking below Increase intensity of light Chickens walk
more
optimal average speed quickly
2 Chickens walking above Decrease intensity of light Chickens walk
more slowly
optimal average speed
3 Chickens congregate and Decrease intensity of light
Chickens disperse to
body temperature of in area of congregation and neighbouring areas
congregated chickens is too increase intensity of light in
high neighbouring areas
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4 Body temperature of Provide one or more areas Chickens congregate
in
chickens is too low of increased light intensity areas of
increased
surrounded by areas of illumination and
decreased light intensity congregation increases
body temperature
Temperature of air or litter is Reduce light intensity in the Chickens move
away from
too high or too low in a zone and keep away from the
particular zone of the floor zone
area
6 Litter is spoilt in a particular Reduce light intensity in the
Chickens move away from
zone of floor area zone and keep away from the
zone
7 Litter is insufficiently turned Increase light intensity in
Chickens move to the zone
in a particular zone of floor the zone and turn litter
area
8 Above optimal rate of Control light intensity to Reduced rate of
feeding
feeding slow movement of chickens
to the feed hoppers
9 Ground illumination is above Adjust lighting intensity
in Illumination maintained at
or below required level in affected regions of floor required level
some or all of the floor area area
Chickens agitated Adjust spectrum of Chickens calmed
illumination to include
more blue light
Examples 1 and 2
The rate of conversion of feed to livestock weight is optimised when chickens
walk at a certain
speed. Speeds above or below the optimum speed reduce the efficiency of
conversion. Chickens
may be induced to walk at or near the optimum speed by adjusting the light
intensity. This can be
done by adjusting the intensity of all of the light units 18 uniformly.
Alternatively, if some areas of
the floor area 12 are lit by natural lighting in addition to the light units
18, then the intensity of those
light units 18 which illuminate the naturally lit areas may be adjusted so
that overall lighting
intensity is generally uniform across the whole floor area 12. Light intensity
in different areas of the
floor area 12 may be measured by the camera units 20.
The speed of movement of the birds can be measured by analysing images taken
at different times.
For each image, individual birds are identified and movement of individual
birds is tracked over time
from image to image. By determining the distances moved by individual birds
and by using the
timing between the images, the speed of movement can be estimated.
Examples 3 and 4
The rate of conversion of feed to livestock weight is also affected by the
body temperature of the
chickens. A body temperature at or near the optimum temperature may be
achieved by controlling
the degree of congregation of the birds. Congregation can be assessed by
analysing white light or
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infra-red images of the chickens. Body temperature of individual birds or
groups of birds can be
estimated by analysing infra-red images.
Examples 5
In Example 5, litter and air temperature can be measured by separate
thermometers connected to
the controller 22. Alternatively litter temperature can be measured by
analysing infra-red images
taken by the camera units 20.
Examples 6 and 7
In Examples 6 and 7, spoiling of the litter, or insufficient turning of the
litter, can be detected by
analysis of white light images taken by the camera units 20.
Example 8
In Example 8, the rate of feeding can be determined by suitable sensors which
measure feed levels
in the feed hoppers.
Example 9
Ground illumination can be measured by the camera units 20.
Example 10
Agitation of the chickens is determined by the controller 22 on the basis of
white light images taken
by the camera units 20.
In addition to the examples given above, which fall into the category of
remedying or circumventing
undesirable circumstances, the controller 22 may be programmed to perform
functions of other
types, as demonstrated by the examples given below.
Example 11
Light intensity should be increased gradually when chickens are being woken
from roost. Overly
rapid increases in light intensity can cause stress and heart attacks. The
controller 22 may be
programmed to optimise the increase in light intensity using feedback obtained
by the camera units
20. Specifically, the controller 22 may be programmed to estimate the degree
of wakefulness of the
chickens (for example by estimating their speed of movement). The controller
22 may use such
analysis to optimise the rate or profile of the increase of lighting
intensity.
Example 12
In a similar manner to Example 11, the controller 22 may be programmed to
optimise the dimming
of lights, at the start of the roost period, based on feedback from the
chickens obtained via the
camera units 20.
Example 13
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The controller 22 may be programmed to adjust the lighting to encourage the
birds to mate. An
increase in the red light content of the illumination may achieve this.
Example 14
The controller 22 may be programmed to estimate the average size and/or weight
of the chickens.
This may be achieved by analysing images to estimate the area that is covered
by the birds and by
using a suitable algorithm utilising the area covered by the birds and the
number of birds in the floor
area 12.
Example 15
The controller 22 may be programmed to detect dead birds by image analysis. An
alarm may then
be raised to alert a human operator.
Example 16
The controller 22 may be programmed to detect disease or abnormal growth by
image analysis. An
alarm may then be raised to alert the human operator.
The controller 22 preferably performs the functions discussed above
automatically.
The user interface 24 allows for programming of the controller 22 and also
provides information to
the human operator.
Figure 4 shows that it is not necessary for the image analysis performed by
the controller 22 to
identify individual birds, In Figure 4, an image obtained from a camera unit
20 is converted into a
density map in which density of chickens is represented by white blocks.
It will be appreciated that the invention may be modified in many ways while
remaining within the
scope of the claims. In particular the invention is applicable to livestock
other than chickens. It could,
for example, be applied to pigs.
